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This year, we bring you another coffee from famed producer Juan Saldarriaga's farm El Encanto - a delicate washed variety. It follows the success of last year's superb natural processed coffee from his farm El Encanto.

Juan Saldarriaga operates two farms, La Claudina and El Encanto, with a combined size of approximately 120 hectares. However, only 84 hectares of that land is planted with coffee. The remaining area consists of forest and a natural reserve. Additionally, Juan is working with friends to manage production for nearby producers that grow Caturra and other cultivars up to 2000 meters above sea level. Many of these producers are young and are striving to demonstrate that Antioquia offers more than merely chocolaty, full-bodied coffees. For now, they are conducting trials to identify what works best for them and their market..

Juan recently assumed control of his family's two farms and has been exploring multiple varieties in varied elevations, many of which were recently planted. He is also testing out various methods for drying and processing natural coffees. ae inspired by his ambition and dedication to developing higher quality products to meet future demand. Historically, coffees from Antioquia have been dependable but unremarkable, yet Juan's coffees show that change is afoot.

Due to high humidity and temperatures, drying is a major obstacle for coffee production in such climates. Juan quickly erected drying structures with raised beds and a machine that utilized cold air drying, as well as a software to customize temperature, airflow and other settings to create profiles for each coffee.

It is thanks to your taste for rare specialty coffee that these farmers can make a significant increase on their ordinary earnings, which enables them to develop their land further.